3 burn to death as road toll rises to 193

Three people who died when two vehicles burst into flames in a head-on collision between Burgersdorp and Aliwal North on Wednesday joined another 30 who lost their lives on provincial roads between Saturday and Wednesday.

The latest fatalities bring the provincial road death toll to 193 since December 1, provincial transport spokesperson Unathi Binqose confirmed on Wednesday.

The figure stood at 160 on Friday afternoon.

In the latest incident, Binqose said, the three were killed instantly when their two bakkies burst into flames after colliding, trapping the occupants inside the burning vehicles.

The department spokesperson said traffic officers had to close the road for more than an hour to allow for the clearance of the wreckages.

“The victims burnt beyond recognition, we were not even able to identify their genders.”

Binqose said the 193 lives had been lost in 149 crashes on the province’s roads since December 1.

On New Year’s Day, a driver was killed and his passenger was rushed to St Elizabeth Hospital in Lusikisiki with minor injuries after their car overturned in Ngqeleni.

These latest accidents take place as traffic begins to build up to large volumes again on national and provincial roads as holidaymakers leave the Eastern Cape and coastal areas for other provinces ahead of school’s reopening next week.

Binqose said there were a few minor crashes in Port St Johns and Coffee Bay where minor injuries were reported.

“But generally, it has been a peaceful New Year’s Day on the roads.”

A total of 213 people died on Eastern Cape roads during the 2017-18 festive season.

This represented a five percent decline compared to 220 deaths during the 2016-17 festive season.